Man charged with murder of Moranbah baby has case adjourned

UPDATE: A TOWNSVILLE man has been charged with murder over the death of a toddler in Moranbah.

Matthew James Ireland, 29, stood in the dock of the Mackay Magistrates Court with his hands held behind his back and his eyes lowered.

He was wearing a t-shirt, shorts and thongs. A number of small tattoos were visible on his arms.

He did not say a word and did not make eye contact with anyone in the court room.

Ireland, who first appeared in the Moranbah Magistrates Court on Thursday, was initially charged with one count each of torture and grievous bodily harm after an 18-month-old boy was admitted to Moranbah Hospital with life-threatening injuries on Wednesday. The child was flown to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition. Police confirmed late Thursday the boy had died.

And the grievous bodily harm charge against Ireland was upgraded to murder.

Ireland did not appear in person in the Moranbah Court.

His legal representatives appeared on his behalf and the matter was adjourned to Mackay.

A MAN will face Mackay Magistrates Court today accused of attacking a toddler who died overnight in Townsville Hospital.

29-year-old Matthew James Ireland was charged yesterday afternoon with one count each of torture and grievous bodily harm in relation to an incident which occurred in Moranbah, that charge has since been upgraded to murder following the death of the 18-month-old.

Ireland was not present when Magistrate Scott Luxton read out the charges in short form yesterday.

His legal representatives appeared on his behalf in the Moranbah Magistrates Court.

There was no application for bail and Ireland was remanded in custody.

A police media spokesperson said yesterday police charged a 29-year-old Townsville man following an incident in Moranbah on Wednesday morning.

Police were called to the Moranbah Hospital after an 18-month-old boy presented with serious injuries, the spokesperson said.

The child was transferred to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition.

The man originally had been charged with one count of grievous bodily harm.

EARLIER:

A 29-YEAR-OLD man facing a grievous bodily harm charge is also facing a torture charge now after an incident in Moranbah on Wednesday morning left an 18-month-old boy in a critical condition.

The Townsville man appeared for a brief mention in Moranbah Magistrates Court today but had the case adjourned until tomorrow.

Queensland Police Media said that the 18-month-old boy who was admitted to Moranbah Hospital with serious injuries remains in a critical condition at Townsville Hospital.

Mackay Detective Inspector Sam Bliss said while police are still investigating the incident no further update is available.

The 29-year-old man has been charged with one count of grievous bodily harm and will face court today.

THURSDAY 6.35am:

A 29-YEAR-OLD Townsville man has been charged with one count of grievous bodily harm following an incident in Moranbah.

Police were called to the Moranbah Hospital after an 18-month-old boy was presented with serious injuries.

The child was transferred to Townsville Hospital where he remain in a critical condition.

The man is due to face Moranbah Magistrates court today.

WEDNESDAY 7.25pm:

AN 18-month-old baby was admitted to Moranbah Hospital with serious injuries yesterday evening about 6.00PM.

A 29-year-old male is in custody.

As of 4.00AM this morning, the baby's condition had begun to deteriorate.